I’d like to plant a seed…

You don’t need to work with people who are fearful of investing in themselves, who are “beginners,” who don’t know what they want, or who grumble about your prices. You are the one who signals who you work with — and who you don’t. Take the lead. Trust in the notion of “client attraction”… and learn to write.

It’s your writing that attracts and connects with more sophisticated clients. Clients who work hard, pay on time and tell their people about you.

And it’s the habit of writing — regularly, joyously, and without attachment to outcome — that will help you find and hone your clear, concise, “gotta have it” message. When you’ve got that, you’re no longer a commodity competing on price. You become an experience that people hunt for, delight to discover, and hire because they have the sense you’ve been talking to them all along.

That’s what we help you do here. Welcome to the neighborhood. Stay in touch and get to know me by putting your name and email in the box up there on the right.

Keep up the good work,

- Stella O.

FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS WRITE THEIR WEBSITE ALONE.

Stella's leading a group of brave business owners in a 5-week lab to write their Homepage, Services page, and About page -- and build major writing mojo.

$497. Starts May 21. 3-4:15pm ET

Are you willing to be real?

Published May 21, 2013

I’m about to start teaching students in my Write Your Website production lab how to write their About pages for their websites.

Every year when I teach this, there are always a few people who ask “do I really have to tell my story on my website?”

They go on to tell me they would be more comfortable putting their bio up, and then listing their trainings, certifications, and credentials.

Of course.

Because trainings, certifications, and credentials are safe.

They are respected in our culture as symbolizing that you Know Something.

(Let’s be clear — I’m not …

Posted in copywriting, how to write

How to use your intensity to win business.

Published May 14, 2013

“The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.” ― Flannery O'Connor

So last week, we were talking about your ideal clients’ “white knuckle death grip” as a way to connect with where they are now.

(For those of you who are new here: hello! We are talking about different ways to connect with potential clients in your copy.)

This week, let’s look at another way in.

Namely, using your intensity – and stop trying to be “nice” all the time.

Especially in your sales copy.

You must name – in clear, powerful language – the problem you see in your potential clients.

Without hiding it under a pile of cheesy …

Posted in copywriting, how to write

Their white knuckle death grip

Published May 7, 2013

It's time to loosen your grip

This one is for those of you working on writing sales copy.

Whether it’s a sales page, preview call opt-in page, or even a signature talk or video.

And you’ve got to zero in on where your ideal clients’ problem is.

Where it festers.
Bubbles.
Churns.

Because to really move people, you can’t just be nice.

You’ve got to connect with the problem.

When you go to the Emergency Room…

They don’t just chat you up and give you a lollipop make you feel good and send you on your way.

They actually study what’s going on with you.

And …

Posted in copywriting, how to write

Fire up your truth muscle – you’ll sell more.

Published April 30, 2013

Sarah Finks of ArtofJuggling.com, brainstorming newsletter ideas at the Writing Intensive last weekend.

Here’s the thing: if you’re writing copy about your business, you should be able to feel the tingles.

In fact, I’m not gonna lie. I was driving home from an event yesterday with my friend who’s an amazing love coach, and when we were talking through the message in HER business, I felt it in my nether bits.

I am not making this up.

I’m meeting too many business owners – smart people, passionate people – who look at copywriting and writing content for their business as a dreaded chore.

On a certain level, I get it. It’s a commitment.…

Posted in copywriting, how to write

10 Meditations for Your Personal Note In Your Newsletter

Published April 16, 2013

A helping hand--reach out and touch someone.

Mail bag!

A business owner recently wrote in with a request (DM, this one’s for you, hon).

She kindly asked for some prompts to get her juices flowing in her personal note for her weekly newsletter.

I’m happy to oblige – and we’ll get to that in just a minute.

For those of you who are new around the neighborhood, let’s review on why you want to put a meaningful, real personal note in your newsletter in the first place.

We see a lot of hooplah on the interwebs about “making money through your website.” And while that’s a possibility, …

Posted in copywriting, how to write